All India Catholic Union
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| India | 16 million[1] |
| Religions | |
| Catholic Church | |
| Website | |
| aicu.in | |
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The All India Catholic Union (AICU) represents almost 16 million
History
Plans for an organised union of Catholic laity were discussed at the All India Catholic Conference in 1919. [2] The All India Catholic League was formed in 1930 (with
in 1934. The body was named the Catholic Union of India in 1944, with Professor M. Ratnaswamy ofOn 30 October 1945, the
Following the partition of India, the Catholic Union of India granted independence to its branches in Sind and Baluchistan in its Second Annual General Meeting in Bangalore in October 1947, which was presided by Ruthnasamy.[6]
Presidents of the All India Catholic Union
Presidents of the Union have included Prof. M. Ratnaswamy, Madras, Chev. A. Soares, Bombay, Chev. J. C. Rayon, Bangalore, Chev. D. V. D. Monte, Madras, Chev. G. S. Reddy, Hyderabad, Mr. George Menezes, Bombay (1986–90), Mr.
Dayal presidency
John Dayal was elected president of the Union on 20 September 2004, succeeding Dr Maria Emilia Menezes.[1] In 2005 Dayal expressed concern that Ekal Vidyalaya ("single teacher") schools run by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Hindu nationalist organisation were spreading hatred towards members of the Christian minority.[8] In May 2006 the union called on State and Central governments to take urgent action to protect the Christian community following escalating violence in states controlled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and allied parties, including armed demonstrations by the RSS.[9]
In December 2007 the AICU petitioned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's to intervene and stop the attacks that were being made against Christians in the
Denis presidency
Dr. Remy Denis became president in 2008.[7] Denis has taken a somewhat radical position in saying that the clergy should confine itself to ministering to the spiritual needs of the people. Administration of the material goods of the church should be left entirely to the laity.[11] At a seminar in Goa in August 2009, former Union minister Eduardo Faleiro said that church property should be brought under the ambit of state laws, as was the case with other religions. This was endorsed by Remy Denis and other liberals. However John Dayal, representing the conservatives in the AICU, opposed any change. He said that the "Christian situation" was radically and materially different from that of the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh religions, and existing laws were sufficient.[12]
In February 2012 the AICU announced that it had started planning for a Laity Synod, to be held later in the year. This would be the first time such an event had been arranged in India. It would give the lay members an opportunity to think about their role in the church and the future of the church.[13] According to Remy Denis "The Second Vatican Council called for the empowerment of the laity. But after 50 years, there is not much to show". It was hoped that the synod would help find ways for the laity to become more involved in management of the financial and temporal affairs of the church.[14]
References
- ^ a b c "John Dayal elected All India Catholic Union National president". The Milli Gazette. 1–15 October 2004. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ "ALL INDIA CATHOLIC UNION". Citizens for Justice and Peace. Retrieved 5 March 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ C. J. Varkey, Chunkath Archived 6 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "History". All India Catholic Union. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8386-1021-3.
- ^ "Partition Affects Catholic Union Of India". Bangalore: Indian Daily Mail. 21 November 1947.
A resolution that, in view of the partition of India into two separate Dominions and the result of the Catholic Associations of Sind and Baluchistan--the only associations, in Pakistan affiliated to the Catholic Union--to sever its connection with the Union, the jurisdiction and activities of the Union be confined to the Dominion of India and necessary amendments be made in the Constitution was passed at the Second Annual General Meeting of the Catholic Union of India held at St. Joseph's College Hall, Civil Area, last week. Mr. Ruthnasamy, President of the Union was in the chair.
- ^ a b "Office Bearers". All India Catholic Union. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
- ^ Jacob Chaterjee (19 July 2005). "AICU president suspects Hindu charitable trust of forming anti–Christian schools for Indian tribals". Christian Today. Archived from the original on 24 August 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ "Hyderabad Meeting of Catholic Union Working committee demands security, economic development for Christians in India". All India Christian Council. 8 May 2006. Archived from the original on 9 May 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ "Catholic forum's plea to Manmohan". The Hindu. 27 December 2007. Archived from the original on 27 December 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ Averthanus L. D'Souza (3 November 2009). "Modern Pastoral Challenges". Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
- ^ Devika Sequeira (5 August 2009). "Conservatives oppose call for Church assets reforms". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
- ^ "Catholic Union to announce dates of first Laity Synod soon". The Times of India. 5 February 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ ANTO AKKARA (24 May 2011). "India's Catholics plan first synod for lay people". Anglican Journal. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
